Jackets Top Blues 2-1

Game #56 St. Louis Blues at Columbus Blue Jackets | February 14, 2012

Two teams headed in opposite directions celebrated Valentine’s Day the with a Central Division showdown. The St. Louis Blues are in the midst of their best season in years and the Columbus Blue Jackets are already looking toward next season. Despite what many figured to be an easy win for the Blues, they lost 2-1.

A telling sign of the season Chris Stewart is having was the denial of a shot that goes in 99.9% of the time. After corralling a loose puck in a battle on top of the crease, Stewart dragged it around the crowd for a back hand toward an empty net. But James Wisniewski laid the blade of his stick on the red line just in the nick of time to deny Stewart.

Late in the first BJ Crombeen squared off with Derek Dorsett, each trying to spark their teams. Likely in response to a hit on Andy McDonald, Crombeen asked and Dorsett obliged to the fairly even bout.

The Blues took a one goal lead with a short handed goal from the captain. A misplay by Jeff Carter sprung David Perron down the boards with David Backes pushing the middle. A beautiful pass to Backes left him alone on Steve Mason to bury his seventeenth.

Still on the power play, Columbus evened the score with a tenth of a second left on the clock. After saving a goal earlier, Wisniewski let a point shot rip that barely beat the clock and Jaroslav Halak. After review the goal stood.

Dorsett put the Blue Jackets on top with an easy goal in the third period. After making two saves, Halak lost the puck and so did the defense. Dorsett spotted the puck sitting in the crease and tapped it in.

The Blues thought they had tied the game with seconds left in the third but after video review it was determined Perron shoved the puck over the goal line with his glove. The goal was disallowed and the Blue Jackets took the victory.

Up Next: The Blues return home Thursday to counter the Islanders.